Rab on path of law, justice: DG

Staff Reporter Amid criticisms by rights groups both at home and aboard, Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) Mokhlesur Rahman on Monday claimed his force is always on the path of law, justice and truth. “Rab has transparency. It (Rab) does whatever it thinks is true. It’s always on the path of law, justice and truth,” he said. The Rab DG was talking to reporters yesterday after facing interrogation by the panel, formed by the Public Administration Ministry to probe the Narayanganj seven murders, at the Secretariat. The probe body interrogated Mokhlesur Rahman from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. “The committee wanted to know about the incident (seven murders). I replied to their queries. I told them whatever is true,” he told the journalists. Replying to a query as to what the probe body wanted to know from him, Mokhlesur Rahman said the matter is under investigation. “So, I can’t say anything in this regard.” Asked about the allegation that the Rab headquarters is involved in the killings of seven people, including Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker, the Rab DG parried the question, saying, “Rab is always on the path of law, justice and truth.” Later, Shahjahan Ali Mollah, the chief of the probe committee, told the reporters that some Rab officials were found to be involved in the seven murders. “And some of them have already been arrested. That’ s why we’ve interrogated the Rab DG. He told us whatever he knows.” He also said the probe panel gave him some suggestions to stop the reoccurrence of such incidents. Asked about the queries made to the Rab chief, the committee head said his statement will be included in the probe committee report. About the submission of the probe report, he said the report will be submitted soon. “The investigation is almost complete. The facts will be unveiled.” Shahjahan Ali said they have so far interrogated some 400 people and more will be quizzed in this connection. About grilling Nur Hossain, the prime accused in the sensational seven-murder case, he said the government is trying to bring Nur Hossain back. “He’ll be interrogated once he is brought back home.” Responding to a question about the Rab’s part in the murders, the probe body chief said the facts will be described in the probe report. Earlier, the probe committee, formed in line with a High Court directive, quizzed Awami League MP Shamim Osman, Narayanganj City Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, DIG of Police (Dhaka Range), Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, Additional Director General (Operation) of Rab Col Ziaul Ahsan, former DC and SP of Narayanganj. On April 27, Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and his three associates and driver were abducted from Fatullah area in Narayanganj city. At the same time, senior lawyer of the Narayanganj District Judge’s Court, Chandan Kumar Sarker, and his driver were abducted on their way to capital Dhaka. Three days into their abduction, the bodies of six people, including that of Nazrul and Chandan, were recovered from the Shitalakhya and Dhaleshwari rivers on April 30. Besides, the body of Jahangir, the car driver of Nazrul Islam, was recovered from the Shitalakhya River on May 1. On May 5, the High Court issued a suo moto rule asking the government to form a seven-member committee to investigate the killings of Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam and six others. The Public Administration Ministry on May 7 formed the seven-member probe panel in compliance with the High Court order.